Coin-controlled vending-machine.



No. 783,794. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

J. L. MILLER.

OOIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1903.

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No. 783,794. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. J. L. MILLER.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION IILED JAN. e, 1903.

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IWHWT Nitlgessesi m 4 mm No. 783,794. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. J. L. MILLER.

COIN GONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED an. a, 1903.

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Witgesses: @1270. 80/ 6M0 m No 788,794. PATENTED' FEB. 28, 1905. J. L. MILLER.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1903.

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\Nitgesses: x 6A; a 2%! Patented February 28, 1905,

PATENT CQlN-CONTHOLLED \lENDlNG- -l llflwldllhlif...

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,79t, dated February 25%, 1905.

Application filed January 8. 1903. Serial No.188,221.

T0 (LU whom it in/my concern.-

lie it known that 1, JOHN L. MILLER, acitizen of the United States, residing in the city of Charlotte, in the county of Eaton and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useiul Improvements loin-Controlled Vending-l vlachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in coin-controlled vending-machines and to a machine particularly adapted for vending cigars.

The invention relates to the delivery devices and to the connections between said delivery devices and a coin chute or slide.

The objects of the invention are, first, to provide an efficient delivery device for delivering cigars or similar articles from the origi nal pac (age, the advantage of which is apparent, it being against the revenue laws and regulations to vend cigars except from the box; second, to provide a construction and means which will compel the complete manipulation of the delivery device for the vending of a single cigar or other article; third, to provide an improved locking means in connection with a reciprocating delivery device, which locking means is readily controlled by the coin; fourth, to provide an improved controlling-lever actuated by the coin so constructed as to receive and retain the coin of a given denomination until the weight 01: the coin shall have actuated the lock and released the delivery mechanism; liift h, to provide in connection with the delivery mechanism of a coin-controlled vending-machine an improved automatic stop and lock toclose the machine when it is empty; sixth, to provide in connection with a coincoi'itrollod vending-machine a suitable mechanism for exhibiting the coin in the front of a window, whereby the purchase price paid into the machine may be inspected, and thereby enable the detection of the use of slugs.

Further objects will definitely appear in the description to follow.

ll accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accoinpanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which--- i Figure 1 is a detail horizontal sectional view through my improved vending-machiue, taken on a line corresponding to line .i l of Fig. 53. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the machine from the rear, taken on a line correspomling to line 3:1 3 of Fig. 'l, the upper portions oi. the machine being broken away. Fig. l; is a detail transverse sectional view ol the lower part of the machine, taken on line at i of Fig. 1, showing the lock and cam-plate in connection with the delivery-slide. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the irreglar line 5 of Fig. 1 and line 5 5 of Fig. 3, showing the details of the lock mechanism for the delivery-slide. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the coin-receiving device, a portion of the coin-chute, and a portion of the exhibiting device, taken on a line corresponing to line is 6 oi Figs. 1 and E2, the chute and delivery device being shown in section, the same parts appearing in full lines in position in Fig. 25. Fig. 7 is a detail of the escntcheon-plate containing the slot through which the coins are inserted into the machine.

In the drawings all of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the littie arrows at the ends oi thesection-lines, and similar letters oi reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings. the casing is made up of a suitable front A, side walls A A, and back I ,A partition A extends'across the casing from the front to the rear and separates the same into two con'ipartinents. \Vithin one of these is placed the cigar-box or other receptacle from which the vending takes place and within the other of which is the coin'actuated part, which is provided with connections through to the delivery means in the vending-coinpartn'ient. \"i ithin the delivery-coinpartment the cigarboX K is located, the box being open at the end and placed open end down in suitable guideways .2, as distinctly appears in Figs. 1 and 5. This box hi can be constructed in the \Vithin this box are cigars loosely packed, so Adapted to that they are freely movable. slide or reciprocate in suitable ways beneath this box is a slide E, which is provided with a transverse slot E (see Figs. 1 and 5) of such diameter that a single cigar drops readily into the same, and as the slot extends entirely across the box a single cigar will drop readily into the slot and be withdrawn, thus taking the cigars from the package one at a time on the reciprocation of the slide. The front of this slide E is provided with a projecting handle or pull E", extending down to a point about even with the bottom of the slide. Beneath the outer end of this slide and on the outside of the case is a receptacle F, extending across the full width of the slide and extending out beyond the pull E a distance that will permit but a single cigar to pass. A notch is cut in the middle of this receptacle to permit the easy grasping of the cigar after it is delivered into thesame; but owing to the narrow space between the pull and the front of this receptacle it is not possible to withdraw the cigar until the slide has been pushed entirely in. This compels the proper manipulation and operation of the slide by the person purchasing a cigar. ()n the side of the slide E is a plate D, containing a camslot y, which has on the lower surface square shoulders 1 1/, which are engaged by the lock pin or rod 7", hereinafter described, which holds the vending-slide in place until released by the weight of the proper coin.

Supported upon a suitable bracket Bin the coin-receiving compartment is a suitable pivoted bar B, the same being, in effect, a rockshaft supported on pivot-pointed screws. A rod f is secured to this rock-shaft and extends downwardly and laterally, the free end extending through the cam-slot 7 in the plate D, as clearly appears in Fig. 4. This rod f also extends just back of the vertical post J and holds in place the arm against resistance when it is attempted to withdraw the slide without having released the lock by a suitable coin. An adjustable weight 1" is secured to this arm f, whereby it may be exactly regulated and madevery sensitive, because it serves as a counterbalance to weigh a proper coin.

An arm g extends upwardly and laterally from the rock-shaft B, (see Figs. 3 and 6,) and on its upper end supports an automatically-controlled coin-weighing receptacle consisting of a tubular part 9, into which the coin drops, and a slide 11 in suitable ways 9'' for closing the bottom of the receptacle to retain the coin within. The slide a is positioned to strike agalnstastop-pin12/,extendinginwardly from the case, whereby when a com of proper tacle will descend until the slide n. strikes the pin-stop a, when on operation of the deliveryslide it will be automatically opened and the coin drop out of the same. As soon as the coin is discharged from the weighing device it is free to return to the initial position as soon as the machine has been completely actuated. The coin is deliveredinto this weighing device through the coin-chute from the tube H, which turns a sharp corner and is provided with an opening H, through which smaller coins are discharged without entering into the coin-weighing device. The angular turn is also provided with a sharp V-shaped knife-edge at H, which will cut any string or wire attached to a coin or otherwise inserted to fraudulently operate the machine.

Beneath the coin-weighing device and supported on a vertical axis is a ratchet-wheel (l, the same being located toward the front of the case, so that it projects through the side of the case into a casing Gr, provided with a glass top G, whereby the coin delivered into the machine will be discharged onto this wheel and passed out under the window G, where it may be readily inspected. A coin-sweep 6 (see Figs. 1 and 2) is provided for removing the coins from the wheel G into the bottom of the machine.

To the bottom of the plate D is secured a vertical finger or arm D, which carries a spring ratchet-pawl D", the engaging part of whichis an upwardly projecting pin. As this pawl is reciprocated when the vending-slide is operated, it will be observed that on each manipulation of the slide the wheel 0 will be rotated to carry the coin paid in out into view under the window G. The return of the wheel C is prevented by a detent-pawl e engaging the teeth 0'.

To prevent the introduction of a coin into the machine when it is empty, I provide a yielding follower m, carried on a rod 6, which rises up into the slot E when the machine is empty and is lowered down by the weight of a single cigar, which counterbalances it. This arm E is carried by the rock-shaft B and extends upwardly at e, and is provided with a weight a, which can be adjusted to properly respond to the weight of a cigar within the machine, thereby swinging the small door /1/ from in front of the slot 1. Thus it will be seen that when the cigar-box is empty there will consequently be no weight upon the follower on and the coin-slot 1 will be closed.

From this description it will be seen that the operation of my vending-machine is substantially as follows: When a coin of proper size is dropped into the coin-chute H, it descends through the said chute H into the coinweighing device and serves by its Weight to swing the lever G down until the slide a strikes the stop a. This raises the free end of the rod f against the top side of the camweight is introduced the coin-weighingrecep- I slot y, which permits the withdrawal of the IIO slide D. As the slide is withdrawn the end of the rod f strikes the inclined portion of the cam-slot y and is forced upward, thereby acting upon the arm g to depress it, which forces the coin receptacle downwardly from the slide a, thereby permitting the discharge of the coin at the bottom. The continued movement of the slide D of course carries the cigar out of the front of the case and drops it into the receptacle F. It is in plain sight at that point; but before the purchaser can obtain it he is obliged to push the slide back to the limit of its stroke, when he can take out the cigar. As the coin has been discharged from the weighing device, the weight f counterbalances the arm and the end of the rod f rests against the bottom of the cam-slot 1 so that as the slide returns the rod drops successively into the notches 51 positively engaging the slide, and owing to the engagement of the rod f with the post J it is impossible to withdraw the slide until the rod f has been again raised by the introduction of a coin. The reciprocation of the slide causes the pawl l) to engage in the ratchet-teeth on the edges of the wheel C and when the slide is pushed in causes the same to rotate, and the coin being deposited upon the upper surface of the wheel is carried around in front of the windew and exposed to view, making it possible to detect the use of metal slugs or counterfeit coins so far as it is possible to detect such coins by inspection.

Having thus described my improved vendinganachine, I desire to state that it can be considerably modified in its details without departing from my invention.

It is obvious that the device would operate satisfactorily without the closing device for the coin-chute; also, that the cam-slot in the slide might be of various forms and permit the operation of the slide in a very satisfactory manner.

The particular manner of supporting the different parts is of course capable of great variation in details, though I believe the means I have shown possesses merit over any other.

The box filled loosely with cigars and with slide under the same containing the slot is of great advantage, as the slide by its action acts upon the contents and insures perfect delivery.

l'laving thus described my invention, What 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, the combination ofasuitable casing; a vending box or receptacle within the casing having a suitable slide passing under the same for the delivery of articles therefrom; a can1-plate secured to the said slide, having a cam with a locking-notch to engage a suitable lockingstop to prevent the withdrawal of the slide; a rock-shaft B with an arm f extending into engaging relation with the cam; an oppositelyextending arm r secured to said rock-shaft extending opposite from the arm f and provided with a coin-receptacle g"; a slide a closing the bottom of said coin-receptacle y and supported in the suitable up wardly-extending guide 9"; a stop 11/ located to contact with the slide 12- and open the bottom of the receptacle; a coin-chute H delivering into the receptacle; a counterbalance f" on said arm f to hold the said arm f normally downwardly into engagement with the locking-notches in the said cam, the said weight and arm being of such size as to be counterbalanced by the weight of a coin,and raised upward to release the delivery-slide, the said cam being of such shape as to actuate the arm f upwardly when the slide is withdrawn thereby operating the slide which opens the bottom of the coinreceptacle and permits the coin to be discharged, whereby, when the slide is moved inwardly, the counterbalance on the rod f will cause it to descend and engage the notch in the cam and prevent the withdrawal of the slide until another coin has been introduced, coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, the combination of a suitable easing; a vending-receptacle within the casing having asuitable slide passing under the same for the delivery of articles therefrom; a cam secured to the said slide having locking-notches adapted to engage a suitable locking-stop; an arm f forming the said locking-stop entering into engagement with the said cam adapted to be actuated thereby, said arm being suitably pivoted; a counterbalance for said arm, consisting of a coin-receptacle; a slide or door for the said coin-receptacle; astop to engagesaid slide or door when the cam actuates the stop-arm, whereby the said door will be opened and the coin dischargechcoacting for the purpose specilied.

3. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, the combination of a suitable casing; a vending box or receptacle within the casing having a suitable slide adapted to reciprocate under the same for the delivery of articles therefrom; a cam-plate on said slide having a locking-notch therein; a coin-receptacle; a pivoted lever by which said coin-receptacle is carried, adapted to engage said notch and lock said slide and to be actuated by said cam as said slide is withdrawn for delivering the coin from said receptacle; and a counterbalance for said lever adapted to hold it normally in engagement with the locking-notch in said cam when said slide is in its initial position, said counterbalance being of such size as to be overcome by the weight of a coin in said receptacle, whereby said slide is released, for the purpose specified.

' a. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, the combination of a suitable receptacle with articles loosely packed therein; a slide to pass beneath the receptacle containing a transverse slot; a follower adapted to rise within the slot connected to a pivoted arm; an arm extending oppositely carrying a small slide to close the slot to the machine; an adjustable counterbalance on said arm to adjust the same, so that the weight of the article to be vended depresses the follower and keeps the slot of the machine open, coacting to close the slot when the machine is empty or outof order, for the purpose specified.

5. In a coin-controlled vending apparatus, the combination of a suitable receptacle with articles loosely packed therein; a slide to pass beneath the receptacle containing a transverse slot; a follower adapted to rise Within the slot connected to a pivoted arm; an arm extending oppositely carrying a small slide, to close the slot to the machine; a counterbalance on said arm, so that the weight of the article to be vended depresses the follower and keeps the slot of the machine open, coacting to close the slot when the machine is empty or out of order, as specified.

6. In a coin-controlled vending-machine, the combination of a coin-chute; a coin-receptacle; an opening slide or door for the same; a stop within the casing for actuating the door or slide; connections from the said receptacle to a delivery means whereby the actuation of the delivery means automatically discharges the coin from the receptacle.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. MILLER. [Ls] WVitnesses:

J. M. 0. SMITH, V. J. PALMER. 

